45 comments

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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  I actually enjoyed going to see From The Jam, not got anytime for Weller now anyway, too far up his ane a*** theres no passion in him when he sings The Jam numbers. Funny how things turn out, I remember going to see Weller in the QM Union when his career hit the skids, there he was with his Rickenbacker trying to find himself again, I couldn't tell you a Style Council number after 86. He stated at the time he didn't want The Jam to carry on like any other band and become meaningless, but thats what happened to The Style Council. Anyway its the publics choice if they want to see his old band mates perform and judging by the audiences response and the fact there now playing in larger venues, I'll rest my case. The Jam was not about one ego, the bass line in Eton Rifles makes that song, their first top ten hit, the druming in Set The House Ablaze. Brilliant. Thought I would just say my bit.....
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  I have to agree with you there NG. I went to see The Jam three times in 1982, and I have been to see the Gift twice and From the Jam once. The real deal was obviously just about perfect as far as I am concerned, but the other gigs over the past couple of years have also been top notch.
  
  I feel that Paul Weller should remember that The Jam meant a lot to an awful lot of people even if not to him. That is the reason why such a huge number of people crammed into the Carling Academy last December, and that is why a similar number will be at the Barrowlands this December. We all know that Weller was the main man in The Jam but he does himself no favours by spouting abuse at the two other guys who also contributed so much to what will always be my own favourite band. I think its time he showed a bit of humility and admitted that The Jam were loved while The Style Council were mostly not. I for one (despite admiring Weller) would not go anywhere near a Style Council reunion gig, and its not that I didn't get it as Paul always says, its just that from 1985 I thought that most of their music was shite. The move towards house music also smacked of desperation so Mr Weller should remember that his own projects were sometimes definitely open to question.
  
  Thats the Weller rant over. I still like most of the stuff that he does, although I do agree that some if it can be quite bland. His solo stuff and his SC stuff will never come close to what he acheived with The Jam. Its just a pity that the truth of that does not fit in with his his viewpoint that has been skewered with the breakdown in the relationship with Buckler. I will be there in December to see another great gig and to support the guys bringing us the best music from the last three decades.
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  Charlie

  1 year ago

  I remember Paul Weller, denying he was a Mod, protecting his money thats what it comes down to, pure and simple, well done Bruce and Rick you have done the right thing, putting the record straight, "never reason with the unreasonable" as Oscar Wilde put it, how can Weller call it cabaret as he sings "Town Called Malice" at his own gigs? We all knew Weller split The Jam, if he thinks more of his fans than a cash cow for his pension fund, then get his head out of his bum, he has put the soul in A***ESOUL! By putting down his Soul Brothers who put him on the map! Get your Jam Shoes on get on stage with your lifelong school friends, have some fun! Get a few beers down yer necks and party! You have nothing to prove to us musically, give something back to those who stood by you when the chips were down, Bruce and Rick have earned your respect, now you earn theirs, don't demand it,"Earn this day"
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  I have read quite a lot on Weller, and listened to him on the radio recently and he certainly now does not deny his Mod roots, far from it in fact.
  
  I also have no difficulty with him having differences of opinion with other members of the Jam that cannot be reconcilled. Thats life and there are plenty of people we knew from the past that we would not have any truck with now. But what I find to be a bit unpleasant is Pauls constant demeaning of the efforts of the other two in doing the concerts. He seems to recall with a lot more pride and joy (old Marvin Gaye song there) the Style Council days than the days from The Jam. That yet again is perefectly okay. He may have had better times with TSC than The Jam. But surely to goodness, in a quiet moment, he must know that TSC could not lace the dessert boots of the Jam when it came to being a brilliant band.
  
  I would like it if Paul Weller just came out and said that he would not go back for a gig with the Jam because he does not get on with one of the band, but good luck to them for doing so. He must be aware of the place that The Jam had in our hearts.
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  Janny

  1 year ago

  The Jam have a big place in alot of people's hearts and in many ways provided the realist soundtrack to our youth, Weller should realise how lucky he has been to have been part of that, but as we all know he didn't do it alone and Foxton and Buckler deserve their place too.
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  Its only now that Rick and Bruce are starting to get the recognition they deserve, and remember the two of them had to take Weller and his father too court for their share of the royalties.
  
  You cant beat a good live Jam album, the engery is reaching out at you, especially that classic 79-80 period, when all you can hear is "We Are The Mods" you shut your eyes, and before you know it, your down the front jumping up and down. Memories
  
  Am I right in saying that The Jam's last ever appearance at the Glasgow Apollo they got a ten minute standing ovation from the crowd, even before they strummed a chord ?
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  TYB Civic mod

  1 year ago

  was never a big Jam fan. I get annoyed about the emails I get from other scooterists. He plays either Cardiff or Bristol or Newport about 3 times a year nowadays and its a big money go round if you ask me. Then I get emails from mates saying he is bringing out a "limited edition cd or dvd, witgh never seen/heard remixes"... tour after tour..... Weller has made a great living out of what was basically, originally a mod following. You try and book him for a mod/scooter rally though and you would be asked for £50,000 in an instant. In the days of teh Civics I can hardly remember anyone turning a head to his creations. I do admit that in later years i did start to listen and yes, enjoy the Jam, but not really when i was going through my mod years. I can remember someone offering me a ticket for them at their last gig in Glasgow at the Apollo and thinking I was better off for putting the money by to put towards a nice new shirt.
  
  TYB
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Spot on there about the two other band members having to go to court. It is always sad to hear of this and no one ever comes out of such a situation looking good. without being privvy to all the facts it is hard to form a definite belief, but I certainly thought that Paul Weller did not do his image any good in all that.
  
  One of the things I am always eternally grateful of is that I managed to see the Jam on a few ocassions.To my mind there was not a band to touch them.I have seen a lot of great bands since then, but no one can ever touch the Jam.
  
  I was at that last night NG. I neary lost my job in getting my ticket, but I would not have cared. They most certainly did receive a ten minute standing ovation, but then, they were well worth that, and more.
  
  The first time I saw them (April 82) they opened the sound check up to the public.That is also a great memory.
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  Chris, dont know if you know, but there is a web site to the Glasgow Apollo, I think you can add your own memories too it, not been there for a while. I've put a ticket stub up somewhere for a Jam gig in Glasgow on this site. It would be good it there was video footage from one of The Apollo gigs, just need to settle for the tarcks on Dig The New Breed and Live Jam. Remember going down The Barras years ago and you could get cassette recordings on tape from The Apollo, but I seem to have lost them over the years. For you younger viewers cassette tapes were all the rage in a by-gone era, I even remember taking my radio cassette player into toon and hanging out The Barras and The Bandstand, thats how I got too hear The Doors, reflecting back maybe I should have kept it at home.....
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  While I remember tickets are now on sale for the gig in the Barrowlands in December, I think it now has the potential for being a great gig. I feel a T-Shirt coming on, Frankie says Who the F*** is Weller ! haha
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  That reminds me as well, while I'm having my Weller rant, where the hell did this title "The Modfather" originate from ??? if my memory serves me right, was the Mod movement not kicking about long before Weller !!! Surely if the title is to be given, should the title not be given to someone who was at the start of the Mod movement ie Pete Meden, or Stevie Marriott, who Weller tried to image himself on, or is this another classic example of history being rewritten ?
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  I shall certainly have a look for the Apollo site NG. The last night that the Jam played it my mate got chucked out for standing on the seats, which was a bit rich as everyone was standin on the seats. We met him after it and his nose was all cut, the bastards had gave him a bit of a slappin for no good reason.
  
  As far as I know the 'Modfather' title came from the mid 90s when there was a bit of a revival of interest in all things mod. A lot of the new Britpop bands were obviously influenced by the Mod scene musically and Paul Weller was seen to be the father of the movement due to his age and the length of time he had been involved in it. Personally I would have given the title to Peter Nardini but thats another story.
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  Yeah If I remember rightly the doormen in the Apollo had a bit of a reputation for the way they dealt with matters. That web site is still up and running as regards to the Apollo, just type in Glasgow Apollo and it should be there. The Jam had a habit for opening up their sound checks for their fans, I think that goes to explain the strong affinity between them and their fans. Don't think Weller does that now !
  
  Gonzo I would agree with you as regards to the Civics, there wasn't really a big liking for Weller although a few of us turned up for the last ever gig at the Apollo, The Style Council. Me, Tam mc and Fish all got in after I phoned my dad from the toon to lend me some money, thanks too him we got in for a fiver,although the money did go into the bouncers pocket. At least I can say I was there.
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Its funny how were all the same style wise, but within that there were so many musical tastes. While me and just about all of my mates loved The Jam there were definitely quite a few Mods who were not so keen. One the the most reveired Mod bands was The Action. I bought a copy of their LP and tried my best to like it.In the end though I always though that they murdered The Marvelettes 'I'll Keep on Holding On.'
  
  In their early days I quite like The Style Council.We went to se their first gig at the Apollo and it was very good. I could certainly see why Weller had moved towards a Miles Davis sort of direction, but the late 80s stuff was just rank, and I would not have paid a penny to listen to it.
  
  You are spot on NG about the reputatio of the Apollo bouncers. I wonder if the truth of that will be on the site. The bad thing about that night was that they picked on a guy who was absolutely harmless. A lot of guys we went about with were quite tough and could handle themselves in most situations, but the guy they picked on that night was never a fighter.
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  Always love the Style Council video were they ride into the hall on a Lambretta , all suited and booted, cool, might even be an arguement too sat that was when Weller peaked at being a well dressed Mod ! In my opinion their last decent record I thought was "Walls Come Tumbling Down" and that was 85, although he did have that terrible hairdo.
  
  I totally love The Action, have you ever heard The Chords doing "I'll Keep On Holding On" ? it was the B side to " In My Street" and also appears on their live album. Depending on your tastes, it might be too your liking , then again it might not !
  
  Its funny how it doesn't matter what walk of life your in, the so called tough guys always seem to pick on someone who cant look after themselfs. Never had a problem with doormen, I did get flung out the Mayfair years ago, after someone pushed me over a table to "Anarchy In The UK" they soon realised that I was innocent, but that song was barred from then on haha
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  I actually have heard The Chords version of the Marvelettes number, and I do quite like it. I suppose that has got a lot to do with my opinion of The Chords as a band. I personally thought that they were the best of the Mod revival bands from 79. I did like the way The Action looked, but despite trying I could not honestly say that I took to their music.
  
  I also liked the 'Solid Bond' video with the TV 175 in it. I think Weller still looked very good until about 1985 when he got that mad Herr Flick haircut, and then even worse he got the one that looked as if a bird had shat all over his head. God only knows what got into him, but I suppose he had been dressing Mod style for a long time previous to that, so maybe he just fancied looking like shit for a while.
  
  I was also okay with bouncers all my days. But I did not try to mess about with them too much either. I remember we were up at Night Moves and we turned round and wee Ped was being frog marched down the stairs by this bear of a bouncer.
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  N.G. MODS

  1 year ago

  At the time of the Mod revival, there was a lot of resentment in the air, Thatchers Britain, and one off the ways to air it was through music, go to a gig and let some steam off. I quite liked The Chords, still remember hearing Maybe Tomorrow for the first time, such raw passion and energy. They were tipped as the best young best band in Britain, but the Mod tag went against them. I've also just noticed that Secret Affair had a video at the time for Time For Action, you can view it on Youtube. Mods and scooters what more does one want !!! nearly time for The Bandstand
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Thatcher definitely caused a lot of discontent amongst those of us who lived north of Birmigham. Sadly her espousal of the 'Im all right jack' mentality won over the political thought process. You cannot now tell the difference between Labour and Tory. Both espouse market capitalism and favour the rich over the poor.
  
  Away from politics there were definitely a lot of good bands about during the late 70s early 80s, and The Chords were definitely a very good band. I saw The Purple Hearts live in early 1982 and they were very good live and came out after the gig to talk to the audience, which was a nice touch.The same goes for Denis Greaves' band The Truth; they were very good live, but sadly did not last too long.
  
  I hope the meeting at the bandstand went well and you have not all been harassed too much by junkies looking for a few bob. The place may be run down now but in our memories it is full of Mods, and scooters coming and going all day long.
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Good Morning to all. I hope everyone is feeling well after a good night out.
  
  I also hope you all made it safe from the bandstand up to the club. I just wonder how many pubs were visited on the way ?
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  Charlie

  1 year ago

  You know what confused me in the 80's with Paul Weller? He was supporting "The Red Wedge Tour" with Billy Bragg and others, who supported The Miners Strike, and he was an out and out Tory voter!!! Guilty conscience he had. I remember watching the kicking those poor guys got off Thatchers puppets on the news, I was shocked, because the first 6 police officers I saw was the ones who leathered me in London Road Police Station, a few days previously and dumped me outside The Royal Infirmary, like a bag of refuse. So I was more than grateful when 2 of them got a taste of their own medicine by some miners who gave them a "SKWERR GO!" thats exactly what it was. Paul Weller, get real! You have made your money,get back to basics and enjoy the music with the 2 gems who put you on the Posters of our youthful hearts in Maggie "I gave you'se The Falklands" Thatcher. My Ma coined it beautifully last week."Thatcher? She taken the milk from the babies mouths!" Referring to Maggies greatest moment in Politics in the early 70's, stopping free milk for Britains schoolkids! What a woman! Never mentioned that in her Biography,wonder why?
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  Janny

  1 year ago

  Guilty conscience sums it up! I remember aged 11 telling my dad that I thought the Jam were cool, and him telling me not to be so daft and they were called the Jam cos they were only jamming musicians! I think he found that answer easier to come by than the time when I asked him what "Lola" was about!!!!!!
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Hi Charlie.
  
  Of all the things we can correctly critisize Paul Weller for, being a Tory is definitely not one of them. He once said (about 1978) that 'I think I'll vote Tory in the next election' but that was only a wind up to the middle class guys like Joe Strummer who were cornering the market in radical lyrics. Weller signed up with the Red Wedge thing as a means of trying to get rid of that old bastard Thatcher. The only slight misgivings he ( and some others) had was that he saw the labour party going ove to the right to try and corner some of the voters that had giving her such massive majorities after Falklands. After the 87 election many musicians and songwriters (Weller included) could not allign themselves to a right wing labour party who were begining to espouse the same capitalist, market driven dogma that had came from the tories since the late 70s.
  
  Some of Wellers lyrics from classics such as 'Down in the Tube Station' and 'Eton Rifles' were as good politically as anything ever attempted by Strummer, and were overtly left wing. Lyrically the Style Council were so left that it turned a lot of people of them, and this at a time when the Clash were coming out with the American market driven 'Combat Rock.'
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Although I am like a lot of people and ever so slightly pissed off with Wellers running down of the 'From the Jam' guys there is a lot to admire about the guy as well.
  
  Something in Andy Mulvie's last e-mail reminded me of something that I have to say endorsed my past admiration for Paul Weller. He was recently asked if he would be agreeable to receiving an MBE or OBE, or some such shit. Unlike a lot of people who write radical lyrics but then sell out he told them where to stick their medals. For that alone I have to take my hat off to the man.
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  Charlie

  1 year ago

  Hi Chris, politicts aside, a whole bunch of us are Jam fans at heart, pals fall out "When Your Young" especially when you find yourself in a strange town! Lets hope they all fall in as pals, at some point. Then I can sing my fave Jam song "Eatin' Trifles!" once more.
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  Charlie

  1 year ago

  Hi Janny if you want to know what "Lola" was all about, ask Jimmy, he brought "her" up to "The One Up" one Sunday, where I chatted her up, said she was a "friend" from East Kilbride! Also ask Jimmy where I got the stretch marks round my lips? Told everyone for years they were "laugh lines" so now you know! lol
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  Janny

  1 year ago

  Nice one Charlie - thing is I already knew what Lola was about - was just trying to embarrass the sh*t out my dad, like all kids do!
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  admin

  1 year ago

  Erm Lola was way before any of us were born apart from you charlie you were a Mod in 64 from birth.... Janny knows that alright.
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  Janny

  1 year ago

  Eh, thought you were born before 1970 Admin??
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  admin

  1 year ago

  thats right Janny but I only ventured out around 81 after school time LOL..... As for LOLA and East kilbride there was but one that I brought in and charlie pined for her hahahahhaa didnt know she was a Tranny, amazing how time heals memories...
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  I used to think in my innocence that a tranny was something that played music.
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  Charlie

  1 year ago

  Now I know Cyber Crowbar you have got me on "Candid Camera" on comment 25, ya wee git Jimmy The Mod! As "Rain Man" would say "Oh,oh, big injury!" ha ha! My hat off to you for turning the tables,or should I say words on me, on my "Lola" comment, truly the Cyber Crowbar from East Kilbride.! Love it! Going to get the p**s taken out of me, for that, probably get a few offers of marriage from the Jocks In Frocks Brigade.lol!
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  I am aware that I will be flaunting my ignorance for all to see, but what the hell is a 'Cyber Crowbar.' Is it something you use to break into a computer shop ?
  
  Also, surely Jocks don't need to wear frocks when they already wear skirts. (kilts) What all this has to do with the price of corned beef I don't know but I am always willing to contribute.
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  admin

  1 year ago

  Chris, cyber crowbar is charlie m talk for how do you do that.
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  Chris C

  1 year ago

  Cheers for that Jimmy. I am thinking seriously about buying a cyber scooter.
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  TYB Civic mod

  1 year ago

  haha well in NG .. cant knock back gig opportunities like that I would say...historical stuff...sounds like Lola was too!!!
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  Fudgie

  11 months ago

  N.G. cheers for pointing this thread out to me,it was very interesting reading.
  
  Cyber Crowbar hahaha...nice one.
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  stevie fae cranhill

  9 months ago

  Plastic Mod meets Paul Weller (from the Jam n' that)
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  Chris C

  9 months ago

  Excellent stuff Stevie. I always knew Weller was too talented not to be Scottish. He did go through a period around the time of 'Setting Sons' when he did go for the Paisley pattern look; he was obviously going back to his Scottish roots. But we'll forgive him that slight style faux pas if he turns up at the Barrowlands in December. If we can get the Scottish Weller and Secret Affair we really would have a night to remember.
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  Janny

  9 months ago

  Luving this Stevie, full blown move some time soon???
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  Charlie

  9 months ago

  Brilliant video Stevie, love it!!!
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  NGMods

  8 months ago

  Just been informed that Secret Affair wont be supporting From The Jam at some of their gigs now.
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  Chris C

  8 months ago

  That was a very quick, and very furtive statement Mr G. You seem to be in the know so let us all in on the why's. Is it because they are now going to go on a UK wide tour including Glasgow ?
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  NGMods

  8 months ago

  Jim
  Not sure if you know but SA are no longer supporting FTJ at all.
  We are looking at shows in UK and Ireland for next year-will keep you posted.
  Cheers
  trACEy x
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  Chris C

  8 months ago

  Looks like I was close to the mark NG. It would be great if they were to do a tour that included Glasgow next year.
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  felonious munk

  7 months ago

  Paul Weller was a guest on the Johnny Walker show on BBC Radio 2. You can listen again till next Sunday 23rd November 2008
  
  "Johnnie is joined by Dave Edmunds for a chat and an acoustic session and Paul Weller is on the phone to talk about his new compilation CD."
  
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio2_aod.shtml...
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